Tony Aidoo criticizes Mahama for failing to curb galamsey

Former Senior Presidential Aide and NDC stalwart Dr. Tony Aidoo has warned President John Mahama that failing to end illegal mining (galamsey) within six months is not only disappointing Ghanaians but could cost the NDC the 2028 elections.

Dr. Aidoo described galamsey as a national crisis threatening both the environment and public health.

“Galamsey is slowly killing us, our water is contaminated, our food is poisoned with heavy metals, and people are living in fear. You drink water and wonder if it’s safe. You eat food and question what’s in it,” he said.

He accused the previous Akufo-Addo administration of ignoring the problem and urged Mahama not to repeat the same mistake.

“Akufo-Addo didn’t care. If this government follows that path, don’t be surprised when Ghanaians reject you in 2028,” he warned.

Dr. Aidoo expressed alarm over reports that a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in the Ashanti Region was allegedly involved in illegal mining, and questioned the President’s silence on the matter.

“There’s no response. What is the President doing?” he asked.

While acknowledging policies like the Blue Water Initiative and the decision to make the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (Gold Board) the sole legal gold buyer, Dr. Aidoo argued these are not enough.

“No matter the initiative, if galamsey continues, it will fail. Stop the galamsey. Stop the destruction of our rivers and forests.”

He called for decisive military intervention.

“Send 1,000 soldiers, two battalions. Flush them out. If necessary, shoot to kill, because they’re killing us. This is a direct attack on our national survival.”

Despite rating the current government’s overall performance at 70 percent, Dr. Aidoo said its failure to curb illegal mining lowers that score to 60.

“Six months is enough. Galamsey must be eliminated, no matter who profits from it,” Dr Aidoo said in an interview with Joy News on July 17.